Podcast

Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorders: We Need Better Tools - Frankly Speaking EP 148Guest: Robert Baldor, MD, FAAFP
Music Credit: Richard Onorato

Universal screening of young children is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), as early intervention leads to improvements in function. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), however, has concluded there isn't enough evidence about the efficacy of universal screening to recommend it. To assess the effectiveness of the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers with Follow-Up (M-CHAT/F), a study of 26,000 children was completed at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. This episode will review the current guidelines for ASD screening and the results of this study—which revealed significant shortcomings in current screening tools—as well as discuss how to counsel concerned parents.